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PIA: Shell Inaugurates 8 Host Community Development Trusts

Published

12 months ago

May 24, 2023

Editor

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has inaugurated eight Host Community Development Trusts (HCDT) in Bayelsa in compliance with the new template by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

Recall that the HCDT is to be established, specifically, to address the developmental needs of the oil-bearing and impacted communities in the region, and while it is commendable, it creates certain challenges.

Mr Osagie Okunbor, SPDC Managing Director and Chairman, Shell companies in Nigeria made this known during the inauguration in Yenagoa.

Rresented by the Mr Igo Weli, SPDC General Manager Corporate Relations, said with the HCDT would pave the way to access the 56 million dollars earmarked for development of its host communities in the PIA dispensation.

Okunbor said: ”regardless of the noble intentions of the PIA as well as the moral and financial support of government, SPDC and other operators, the development of communities ultimately rests on the shoulders of community people themselves.”

He said that this bold step in the implementation of the provisions of the PIA earned commendation from the Bayelsa government, regulators, partners as well as communities for what is regarded as an industry milestone.

The eight yrusts in Bayelsa are among 22 that have been incorporated in the SPDC JV’s areas of operation in Imo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states, representing more than half of the total 41 which the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has so far approved for host communities.

He noted that with the company’s knowledge of the Niger Delta for over 60 years of operations, it is managing a seamless transition from the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) initiative, which it introduced in 2006, to HCDTs, a key provision of the PIA which was signed into law in August 2021.

“SPDC engaged more than 300 communities on the provisions of the PIA, their roles and responsibilities, the obligations of oil and gas companies and facilitated grouping of communities and nominations for trustees.

“It also assisted in the development of a Needs Assessment and development plan for communities. The 56.13 million dollars represents funds to be paid this year by SPDC JV and Shell’s deep-water subsidiary, Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) as contribution to HCDTs in line with PIA requirements,” Okunbor said.

NAN reports that stakeholders at the unveiling, held at the state capital, Yenagoa, charged the Community Trusts that have been incorporated to work towards development in the Niger Delta through peaceful co-existence and collaboration with oil companies.

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr. Ibieri Jones said:” this is indeed a milestone which will ensure progress of the communities.

“No meaningful development can take place without an enabling environment. With dialogue we can always resolve issues and that is the only way it will take the region to where we want it to be.” he said.

The Chief Executive of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commision (NUPRC), Mr Gbenga Komolafe, commended the early incorporation of the Trusts and charged them to be guided by the provisions of the PIA in their operations.

Komolafe was represented by Mrs Omolade Awah, Manager, Host Communities Development in NUPRC.

Also, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr Bala Wunti, represented by Senior Adviser, Stakeholder Relations, Mrs. Joy Eguahon, said there are high expectations for communities to collaborate with industry stakeholders for peaceful co-existence.

Wunti also urged the communities to set up systems to address conflicts or grievances through dialogue that ensures resolutions that are beneficial to all the parties.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Gbarain/Ekpetiama Trust, Mr. Ebikesee Johnson, thanked SPDC and communities for the confidence reposed in them, and enjoined trustees to ensure transparency and accountability in discharging their duties.

NAN learnt that the eight Trusts that were unveiled are expected to appoint Management Committees in collaboration with their communities, while they will, in turn, set up Host Community Advisory Committees.

This will complete the new community development structure under the PIA and enable the trusts to begin to receive funds and commence operations.

The PIA stipulates funding of the trusts from three per cent allocation of the actual operating expenditure of an oil company in the preceding year.

The SPDC JV is working towards the incorporation of a total of 33 Trusts before the end of the year.

News

Ex-CBN Gov, Emefiele Faces Fresh Charge Over Printing Of Naira Emefiele

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has preferred a fresh charge against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, over an allegation that he illegally printed Naira notes while he held sway at the apex bank.

The anti-graft agency, in the four-count charge it entered before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, equally accused the former CBN boss of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of about N124.8billion from the consolidated revenue fund.

According to the EFCC, the defendant, acting in violation of law and “with intent to cause injury to the public,” okayed the printing of naira notes without the approval of both the former President, Muhammadu Buhari and the board of the CBN.

Emefiele, who is already facing multiple charges both in Abuja and Lagos, is expected to take his plea before trial Justice Maryann Anenih.

Specifically, the charge against him, read: “That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1, 000, at the total cost of N11,052, 068,062 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000 pieces of colour swapped N500 (Five Hundred Naira) Notes, at the total cost of N4, 471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 (Two Hundred Naira) Note, at the total cost of N3, 441, 005, 280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124, 860, 227, 865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had on June 9, 2023, suspended Emefiele from office as the head of the apex bank.

He was later arrested at his Lagos residence by DSS operatives.

The former CBN boss was subsequently transferred to the custody of the EFCC, which on November 28, 2023, docked him on a six-count charge that bordered on his alleged involvement in procurement fraud.

Though Emefiele, who initially spent 151 days in custody of security agencies, was later granted bail to the tune of N300million and ordered to produce two sureties that the trial court stressed must be Abuja residents that have landed property within the Maitama District, the defendant could not perfect the conditions till December 23, 2023, when he was released from Kuje prison where he spent about 34 days.

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Officially Suspends 0.5% Cybersecurity Levy

Published

3 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has officially suspended the controversial 0.5% cybersecurity levy on electronic banking transactions.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said President Tinubu ordered the suspension following deliberations by members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Idris disclosed this at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday after the FEC meeting.

Details later…

News

BREAKING: ASUU Threatens Nationwide Strike

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened to embark on another nationwide strike to protest absence of governing councils in all federal universities across the country among other issues the government is yet to address.

The body which recalled that the federal government dissolved governing councils of the universities in May, last year, has asked Nigerians to hold the government responsible for any decision it takes to protest the action of government.

President of ASUU,Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke,spoke at a press conference which is ongoing at ASUU national secretariat,Abuja.

Details coming…